Media Information

March 07

Schoolboy Brothers Martial Forces!

Two schoolboy brothers from Bournemouth will be taking part in a charity ride with a difference from John O’Groats to Land’s End this summer.

What makes it different is that Ben Nourse, who’s 14, and his 12 year old brother Sam, will be part of a team of martial arts enthusiasts riding a unique cambering Trikke, a chainless, pedal-less three-wheeler that involves the rider using the whole of their body to move it.

The two boys, who live at Kinson, go to Kings High School in Bournemouth and will be raising money for BIBIC, the national charity for brain injured children at Bridgwater; Julia’s House Children’s Hospice in Dorset martial arts school and Fit to Defend, which is seeking to open the South Coast’s first martial arts academy, just outside Poole.

Barrie Clarke, Fit to Defend’s Chief Instructor, says the idea to tackle the 839 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End came from Ben and Sam themselves, who are now training hard to master the Trikke.

“To get the Trikke to move you literally have to rock and roll along a slalom type path. It’s possible to reach up to 18 miles an hour on a flat surface – but it needs a lot of practise,” says Barrie.

The charity attempt, which is being supported by Trikke UK, will take place between the 2^nd and 25^th of August and an appeal has been made to businesses and individuals for help with sponsorship, food, drink, fuel and transport.

Fit to Defend, which runs a train-for-free facility is also seeking businesses to sponsor individual children who want to do martial arts. A number of other fund raising events have also been arranged.

On 14 March, Ben, Sam and the other members of the FTD team will be Trikke-ing around Poole Park in aid of Comic Relief – complete with red noses!

“We’re hoping people will come along to Poole Park to have a go on the Trikke. They will then appreciate the challenge Ben, Sam and the rest of the team face,” said Barrie.

In May, a team will be taking part in The 3 Peaks Walk, scaling the highest peaks in England (Scafell 978m), Scotland (Ben Nevis 1344m) and Wales (Snowdon 1085m). The FTD team hopes to complete the feat in just 24 hours, once again raising money for the new Academy, BIBIC and Julia’s House.

The major fund-raising event, however, takes place in September, with a gala dinner at the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth.

For further information:

Barrie Clarke, Fit to Defend, 0800 5345 124 or 07795 030177